Extension-step for railway-cars.



T. P. HARDIMAN. EXTENSION STEP FOR RAILWAY CA'RS.

APPLIOATION FILED DBO.16, 191a.

a. .QJV Q COLUMBIA PLANOCIRAPH cm, WASHINGTON, D. c,

T. P. HARDIMAN. EXTENSION STEP FOR RAILWAY CARS. APPLICATION P'ILED DEOL16, 1913.

1,092,044, Patented Mar. 31, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

avwewtoz UNITE -AT -11 THOMAS E. HARDIMAN, OF OXFORD, NEW JERSEY.

EXTENSION-STEP FOR RAILWAY-CARS.

Application filed December 16, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS F. IIARDIMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oxford, in the county of Warren and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Extension-Steps for Railway-Cars, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in steps for railway passenger cars and especially with reference to extension steps which are adapted to be lowered from the rigid steps to enable a person to step readily thereon, and which extension step is-adapted to be swung upwardly and inwardly under the rigid steps, out of the way and arranged at a safe elevation above the track while the trains are in motion between stations.

The invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of devices hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings :-Figure 1 is a partial end elevation of a railway passenger car provided with extension steps constructed in accordance with my invention, and showing the extension step lowered. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and with the extension step raised. Fig. tis a detail perspective view of the extension step and its connections. I

For the purposes of this specification a car platform is indicated at 1, provided with the usual fixed or rigid steps 2. In accordance with my invention I provide a swinging or extension step 3 here shown as provided at the ends with angle irons each of which has a lower tread arm 4, an upper tread arm 5 and a riser portion 6.

The extension step has its upper tread arms pivotally connected as at 7 to the lower riser of its fixed steps 2 so that the extension step may be arranged below the fixed steps for use or may be swung inwardly and upwardly under the fixed steps out of the way.

In connection with each set of steps I provide a rock shaft 8 which is arranged under the platform, parallel with the steps and is mounted in bearings 9 of hangers 10 which are secured to the under side of the platform and depend therefrom. The rock shaft has squared or cross sectionally angular end portions 11 on which are fitted rock arms 12, the latter having openings 13 to fit said portions 11 of the shaft. These rock arms have their outer ends provided, on their under Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 31, mm.

Serial No. 807,112.

sides, with segmental cars 14: which are pivotally connected as at 15 to similarly shaped ears 16 at the inner ends of links 17, the said links being pivotally connected, as at 18 to the extension step at opposite sides thereof and at points in the angle between the lower tread 4 and the riser 6.

It'will be understood that the pivots 15 are to one side of the axis of a rack arm 12 and link 17 when the same are extended and 1n line with each other, .and it will be understood also that owing to the provision of the segmental ears 14-16 the said rock arms and links are provided at their opposing ends with abutting shoulders 19, said shoulders and pivots while adapting the rock arms and links to fold upwardly, preventing them from folding downwardly. Hence when the rock arms and links are in extended position, with the extension step lowered, their abutting shoulders 19 hold the step in lowered position and prevent it from swinging inwardly. In order to swing the extension step inwardly the rock shaft must be turned so as to raise the rock arms 12. For this purpose I provide the rock shaft with a sprocket wheel 20 which is connected by an endless sprocket chain 21 to a similar wheel 22 which has a crank axle 23 that is mounted in bearings in the rail 24 of the platform. The crank 25 enables the wheel 22 to be readily turned and since said wheel is connected to the wheel 20 by the chain 21 it will be understood that the wheel may thus be manually turned, so as to turn the rock shaft as required to raise or lower the extension step. When the extension step is in raised position a suitable locking dog 26 may be engaged with the wheel 20 to hold the same in such position.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred form of my invention, I would have it understood that changes may be made in the form, proportion and construction of the several parts without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In combination with fixed steps, an extension step pivotally connected to the lower end of the fixed steps and adapted to swing outwardly and downwardly therefrom and to be also swung inwardly and upwardly thereunder, a rock shaft, bearings for the rock shaft, rock arms attached to the rock shaft for movement therewith, links pivotally connected to the rock arms and also to the extension step, and means to operate the rock shaft, the said rock arms and links having rule joint connections between them adapting said rock arms and links to fold upwardly and preventing them from folding downwardly.

2. In combination with fixed steps, an extension step pivotally connected to the lower end of the fixed steps and adapted to swing outwardly and downwardly therefrom and to be also swung inwardly and upwardly thereunder, a rock shaft, bearings for the Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

rock shaft, rock arms attached to the rock shaft for movement therewith, links pivotally connected to the rock arms and also the extension step, a sprocket wheel on the rock shaft, an operating sprocket wheel, an endless chain connecting the sprocket wheels and a crank for turning the operating sprocket wheel.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS F. HARDIMAN. Witnesses PATRICK J. CORLEY, JAMES BURNS.

Washington, D. C. 

